Authors:

A.D. Avery(University of Denver)

R. Sultan(University of Denver)

D. Bassett(University of Denver)

M.R. Pufall(NIST Boulder)

B.L. Zink(University of Denver)

The effective design of next-generation memory storage and logic
devices based on spin necessitates a thorough understanding of
transport properties of their potential components. Although
electrical transport in magnetic materials is well-understood,
thermal transport is historically difficult to measure. Using
micromachined thermal isolation structures, we make direct
measurements of thermal and electrical transport in these
systems. Our technique offers a method for accurately measuring
films and other low-dimensional geometries from the microscale
down to the nano regime. We will present in-plane thermal
conductivity, resistivity, and thermopower results, as well as
direct comparisons with the Wiedemann-Franz law for films of
various thicknesses and preparation techniques. We will also
present the extension of our technique to explore an evaporated
multilayer film. Finally, we discuss the application of our
method to examining the fundamental physics underlying
thermoelectric effects, such as thermally driven spin currents,
to further the emerging sub-field of spin caloritronics.

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2010.MAR.D34.14